Ravi Continues Attack On Cabinet Paper To Draw Money From State Banks; "If It Was Wrong During MR Period, What Makes It Correct Now?"

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake today continued his attack on the government's decision to draw money from state banks for repayment of loans.

Speaking at a public event in Digana, Karunanayake said, "When the Rajapaksa government drew money from state banks to repay loans, we criticized his conduct. But, today, our government too does the same mistake."

At the last two Cabinet meetings, Karunanayake took umbrage at Finance minister Mangala Samaraweera's decision to draw USD 1600 million from state banks for debt repayment. He kicked up a row at the Cabinet meeting yesterday saying his objections to Samaraweera's Cabinet paper had not been recorded in Cabinet decisions.

Karunanayake also stated that there were "spectres" in the Central Bank. "I find it hard to comprehend why the Rupee was stable when there was an unstable government in the country. Today, there is a stable government in power, but the rupee remains unstable."

The Minister also added that the Executive Presidency was not suitable to a country like Sri Lanka. "It was Lalith Athulathmudali who began the fight against the Executive Presidency and he sacrificed his life for the same purpose. We still haven't won the battle he started."